If you’re on the hunt for a cosy festive weekend away, then you need to push Riga to the very top of your bucket list. It is home to quaint Christmas markets (voted some of the best in Europe!), colourful historic buildings and plenty of cute cafes to warm up in.
It’s got all the appeal of the famous German Christmas market towns but without the crazy crowds. It is the perfect peaceful winter weekend escape! Keep reading to get ideas for what to do in Riga at Christmas.
There are affordable direct flights from London available daily.
Riga is a very walkable city, so there is no need for a car. We didn’t even have to use public transport during our short trip as we reached everything on foot. The only time we caught a taxi was to and from the airport, which took about 30 minutes.
If you want a festive trip, I recommend visiting during the month of December when the Christmas markets are in full swing and you have a higher chance of snow on the ground.
Riga is a very small city, so you don’t need longer than a couple of days there. We did two nights and it was perfect.
The historic old town is the ideal location to stay, we opted for a gorgeous airbnb apartment right in the heart of it but there are plenty of hotels too.
Travel and accommodation in Latvia are surprisingly affordable, but once you get there expect typical capital city prices for foods, drinks and activities.
It gets super cold in winter, we experienced temperatures down to -4 so make sure you pack cosy jackets, thermal base layers and warm accessories. There is no Uber, but Bolt is the equivalent app and is super easy to use.
Let’s start with the very best reason to visit Riga in winter, the incredible Christmas markets! The main market is located right in the heart of the UNESCO world heritage old town, overlooked by Riga Cathedral. I absolutely loved this market because not only is it so quaint, it felt really authentic and just totally magical to be honest. There’s plenty of local food (often cooked over open fires), handmade crafts and delicious warm drinks to enjoy. It’s small but not overwhelming, you can easily spend a couple of hours there!
The historic old town of Riga is a small network of cobbled streets, colourful houses and historic buildings. It’s super easy to explore on foot and can easily be covered in a day. Some popular spots to see there include:
– House of the Blackheads
– The site of the first Christmas tree
– The Three Brothers
– Nativity Of Christ Orthodox Cathedral
– The Cat House
– The Swedish Gate
– Riga Castle
One of the largest and most visited markets in all of Europe! Set across five different pavilions, you can browse and buy Latvian grown and home-made products. It’s huge, it’s busy and it’s an amazing experience.
The best view over the city can be found at the very top of the St Peter’s Church tower. It is well worth making the journey up as you can see over the old town’s iconic red rooftops, Riga Bay and the Daugava river.
In my opinion there is no better way to explore a new city. A guided walking tour allows you to get your bearings of the city layout, learn unique facts about its history and the local guides often have great recommendations for less touristy restaurants and sights.
A winter weekend calls for ice skating! And the festive ice rink in Riga is in a beautiful location right underneath the Nativity of Christ Orthodox Cathedral. It is a very relaxed affair, you can just rock up and skate without prior booking. Just bear in mind the times it is closed for resurfacing.
There are so many incredible coffee shops, cafes and restaurants in Riga I wish we had more time to try them all! Some of our personal favourites included:
Mikla Bakery – for delicious pistachio croissants and juicy cinnamon buns.
KALVE – for the best coffee in town
Cafe Mimosa – for brunch classics.
Kure – for incredible pastries.
Lowine – for a laidback wine bar serving delicious warming meals.
Balta Kaza– for modern Latvian cuisine in aesthetic surroundings.
Safe travels,
Zanna x
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